It’s been years since Wanderlei
Silva prepared for a fight in his native Brazil, but that
changed Saturday when the former Pride champion touched down in
Curitiba. Silva will train at Andre Dida’s
Evolucao Thai camp to make final preparations for his June 23 bout
against Vitor
Belfort at UFC
147 in Belo Horizonte.

Dida spoke this week with Sherdog.com about working with the “Axe
Murderer,” his assessment of Belfort, and Mauricio
“Shogun” Rua’s next fight.

Sherdog.com: When did Silva arrive in Curitiba and when will he
start training?
Dida: Wand arrived on Saturday, coming from Kings MMA [in
Huntington Beach, Calif.], and he’ll finish his camp for the fight
against Vitor here at Evolucao Thai. The sparring partners are set,
the strategy is set. Wand was happy here because he saw enough
athletes are southpaw, and we have some that mimic Vitor’s fighting
style very well. We leave here for victory in Belo Horizonte.

Sherdog.com: It’s been a long time since Wanderlei prepared for
a fight in Brazil. Do you remember the last time?
Dida: From what I remember, it’s been five or six years. He always
trains at Kings or in Las Vegas at his own academy. Rafael
[Cordeiro] is coming to help also, and perhaps he’ll bring Babalu
[Renato
Sobral]. Wand has trained wrestling there in the U.S. and is
very well. He came to Curitiba, which is the breadbasket of muay
Thai and has lots of good people here. If he needs help in
jiu-jitsu, Sergio
Moraes is here to help.

Sherdog.com: When was the last time the three of you trained
together?
Dida: It was for Shogun’s fight against Forrest
Griffin, we trained there in California. Wand and Shogun always
work well together. The way it goes, friends only found themselves
in brawling. (laughs)

Sherdog.com: You spoke of Sergio Moraes. How has it been working
with him at Evolucao Thai?
Dida: It seems like Sergio has been here for about eight months,
but he’s only been here for two. He has adapted very well. He’s at
home and everyone likes him. And, you know, if you go to the floor
with him, close your eyes! We’re working on Sergio’s muay Thai.
He’s talented, and he learns everything we teach quickly.

Sherdog.com: How do you rate Wanderlei’s opponent, Vitor
Belfort?
Dida: We know how Vitor fights. He has a bad psychology, and we’ll
use it in our favor. Wand is a very experienced athlete. I hope for
a busy fight. We’re working with the possibility of a five-round
fight, and we know it will be a long fight because Vitor doesn’t
risk much.

Sherdog.com: And what about Shogun’s opponent, Thiago
Silva?
Dida: The fight matches up well. Mauricio showed against Dan
Henderson that, in order to defeat him, his opponent will have
to do a lot, be very well prepared. This year will be Shogun’s
year. He’ll come with everything. The crowd can expect knockouts
from Wand and Mauricio.